Moistener for gummed tape dispensers



Ap 1951 T. H. KRUEGER 2,547,584

MOISTENER FOR GUMMED TAPE DISPENSERS Filed March 17, 1949 I I 56 447 INVEN TOR.

JFEODORZEI SQE'GZQ 4y I f0 6 By Patented Apr. 3, 1951 MOISTENER FOR GUMMED TAPE DISPENSERS Theodore H. Krueger, Stratford, Conn, assignor to Better Packages Incorporated, a corporation of New York Application March 17, 1949, Serial No. 81,855

4'Claims. 1 This invention relates to gummed tape dispensers and particularly to improvements in devices for moistening the gummed tape "as it is dispensed.

In machines for dispensing gummed tape, the

proper application of moisture to the gummed surface of the tape is of the utmost importance. This is particularly true of machines for dispensing long lengths of tape for sealing cartons or large packages. In such machines the tape is often fed through the moistener at considerable speed. Experience has shown that unless the moisture is applied in proper quantity and spread evenly over the tape, proper sealing of the car-' tiple brush construction but may also be used 5 with a single brush.

In brush moisteners of the character shown in my patent referred to, the tape is passed gummed side down over the tips of the brush or brushes,

the butts of which are held in a water receptacle, the water being carried up the brushes by capillary attraction. Mounted above the brushes is a pressure plate which performs two important functions; first, it guides the tape over the brush and holds it in contact therewith with the right amount of pressure to secure proper application of the moisture to the gum on the tape; secondly, the pressure plate serves to maintain a film of water over the ends of the brushes" at times when tape is not being fed over the brushes, thereby keeping the tips of the brushes soft and ready for instant use when the next piece of tape is dispensed. Depending upon the weight of tape, character of gum, speed of passage of the tape through the moistener, and other variable conditions, it is desirable to be able to readily adjust the pressure of the pressure plate on the back of the tape moving over the brush bristles and the present invention comprises an improved form of pressure plate for use with single Or multiple brushes in which means are provided for readily and accurately adjusting the pressure.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one preferred form of the invention:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing part of a tape dispenser, portions of the water reservoir and the pressure plate being shown in vertical longitudinal section;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the pressure plate;

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section on the line 33 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a vertical section on line 4-4 of, Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the invention is shown in connection with a dispenser for dispensing tape from a roll. Obviously, the moistening couple comprising the pressure plate and brush or brushes may be used for moistening labels or any gummed paper. A conventional tape dispenser, such for example as a dispenser of the type shown in my patent above referred to, is shown diagrammatically at Iii. Mounted in the dispenser is a roll of tape indicated at l2 in dotted lines, which may be dispensed by any suitable dispensing devices (not shown). The

'tape i4 is fed past a cutter shown diagrammatically at I6, and then passes under the pressure plate is which holds the gummed lower side of the tape in contact with the tips of moistening brushes 2!!v and 22. Thelatter are shown as mounted in a water reservoir 24 and water is carried up the bristles of the brushes by capillary attraction and spread on the surface of the tape. The pressure plate I8 is shown curved at its rear end to provide a uide 26 and is pivoted on a pivot pin 28.

For adjusting the pressure of the pressure plate upon the tape, a weight 30 is provided which is provided with notches 32 in its ends to receive lips 34 on flanges 36 bent up from the sides of the plate. The weight may be slid back and forth upon the top of the plate and is held upon the plate by engagement of the lips in the notches. As the weight is moved further from the pivot, obviously the pressure exerted by the pressure plate will be increased and vice versa. In order to hold the weight in predetermined desired adjusted position, a series of notches 38 are provided in the edges of the lips and the weight is provided with releasable locking levers *46 mounted in slots 42 in the ends of the weight and pivoted on pins 44. The locking levers are urged outwardly by sliding pins 46 which engage springs 48 mounted in recesses 50 in the weight. By pressing in the levers 40 with the thumb and finger, they may be pushed inwardly, as shown at the right in Figure 3, so as to release the levers from the notches 38 and permit the position of the weight to be adjusted. By providing a plurality of notches 38 at predetermined intervals, definite adjustments may be made in the position of the weight so as to meet certain known conditions, such for example as result from the use of tape of different known grades. In order to prevent the weight from being accidentally removed entirely from the pressure plate and possibly misplaced or lost, tongues 52 are provided on the flanges 36 which may be bent over so as to keep the weight from coming oil.

While I have illustrated and described in detail certain preferred forms of my invention, it is to be understood that changes may be made therein and the invention embodied in other structures. I do not, therefore, desire to limit myself to the specific construction illustrated, but intend to cover my invention broadly in whatever form its principle may be embodied.

I claim:

1. In a tape moistening couple for tape dispensing devices, a water reservoir, an inverted brush therein, a pressure plate resting by gra ity on the brush, means for pivoting the pressure plate at one side of the brush, lip members on the pressure plate, a weight movably mounted on said pressure plate towards and from the pivotal axis of the plate and retained on said plate by said lip members, and means for retaining the weight in any one of a plurality of adjusted positions on the plate,

2. In a tape moistening couple for tape dispensing devices, a water reservoir, an inverted brush therein, a pressure plate resting by gravity on the brush, means for pivoting the pressure plate at one side of the brush, lip members on the pressure plate, a weight movably mounted on said pressure plate towards and from the pivotal axis of the plate and retained on said plate by said lip members, and means for retaining the weight in any one of a plurality of adjusted positions on the plate, said retaining means comprising spaced notches in the lip members and latching devices carried by the weight and coopcrating with said notches.

3. In a tape moistening couple for tape dis- 45 pensing devices, a water reservoir, an inverted brush therein, a pressure plate resting by gravity on the brush, means for pivoting the pressure plate at one side of the brush, lip members on the pressure plate, a weight movably mounted on said pressure plate for movement towards and from the pivotal axis of the plate and retained on said plate by said lip members, means for retaining the weight in any one of a plurality of adjusted positions on the plate, said retaining means comprising pairs of notches spaced at predetermined intervals in said lip members and pivoted spring pressed locking levers mounted at opposite ends of the weight for engagement with any pair of said pairs of spaced notches.

4. In a tape moistening couple for tape dispensing devices, a water reservoir, a plurality of inverted brushes therein, a pressure plate resting by gravity on the brushes, means for pivoting the pressure plate at one side of the brushes, lip members on the pressure plate, a weight movably mounted on said pressure plate for movement towards and from the pivotal axis of the plate and retained on said plate by said lip members, and means for retaining the weight in any one of a plurality of adjusted positions on the plate, said retaining means comprising pairs of notches spaced at predetermined intervals in said lip members, said weight having horizontal slots in its ends receiving the edges of said lip members and having vertical slots in its ends in which locking levers are pivotally mounted, said levers being movable into engagement with the notches in the lip members or movable out of engage ment with said notches to permit adjustment of the weight, and spring plungers for urging said locking levers into locking position.

THEODORE H. KRUEGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,705,609 Fletcher Mar. 19, 1929 1,732,637 Gautier Oct. 22, 1929 1,962,720 Krueger June 12, 1934 2,035,374 Phillips Mar. 24, 1936 

